nihilistic

[ nahy-uh-lis-tik ]

adjective

1. of or believing in nihilism, or the total rejection of established laws and institutions:

   An exhibition of nihilistic art—now there's an oxymoron!

2. embracing anarchy, terrorism, and destruction:

   nihilistic tactics learned in a terrorist bootcamp.

3. Philosophy. of or believing in an extreme form of skepticism; belief in nothingness.

Other Words From

• nihil·isti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·nihil·istic adjective
• nonni·hil·istic adjective
• unni·hil·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nihilistic¹

nihil(ism) + -istic

Example Sentences

The show reveals that Agatha’s nihilistic malevolence stems from her tortured relationship with her mother, who told her she was inherently and irredeemably evil and tried to kill her with her own coven.

From Los Angeles Times

A pessimistic or even nihilistic point of view can cause you to doom spend.

From Salon

The pair aren’t eligible to vote and don’t feel safe under either potential administration, so they’ve elected to be generally nihilistic about the whole thing, while acknowledging it could affect their future.

From Los Angeles Times

The worst thing we can do is become depressed or nihilistic or give up, knowing that’s the outcome for all of us.

From Los Angeles Times

For a little under a year, she went through treatment, and steadily she changed — she became sour, nihilistic and impenetrably dark, just like the rest of us.

From New York Times

Related Words

• anarchic